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fanned frets.. what the freak?

#104
SMASH said:
For the "low C# theory" or slapping the low B through a 2x18 it might make a big difference, at least for the player in a tactile sense. For covering AC/DC through a 1x12, not so much, or if an instructor has one that's teaching kids that own a Squier starter pack it might just make it tougher.
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Has the lowest form of bass playing finally been identified? :D
 
#107
Blues Cat said:
Pianos ride the short bus. So do tambourine players.:)
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Cowbell Players get their own tour bus with the 50" Widescreen plasma and maid service.

sign-Cowbell.130124930_std.jpg
 
#112
Alvaro Martín Gómez A.;7007389 said:
I'd like to see someone playing "Portrait of Tracy" on a fanned fret fingerboard.
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The funny thing is that the fan would be awesome for fretless playing because you could really beef up your C string. I've thought about this many times, but I simply can't play lined fretli. I once thought about an unlined fanned bass, but I'm a tad nervous about that.
 
#113
spade2you said:
The funny thing is that the fan would be awesome for fretless playing because you could really beef up your C string. I've thought about this many times, but I simply can't play lined fretli. I once thought about an unlined fanned bass, but I'm a tad nervous about that.
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I've always felt the opposite about fanned fretlesses- seems like it would be navigating a minefield. I'm sure it would help alleviate the nasally high C a fretless can have, but trying to play on five or six different scale lengths at the same time sounds like an intonation nightmare unless you're either constantly looking at the fretboard or sliding into every note to hide the intonation issues. And that's just with a lined one- an unlined fanned fretless....I'm afraid to even think about it :D I know a few people on TB have had fanned fretlesses including at least one unlined one, but I haven't heard anyone playing one in tune yet.
 
#114
Bryan R. Tyler said:
I've always felt the opposite about fanned fretlesses- seems like it would be navigating a minefield. I'm sure it would help alleviate the nasally high C a fretless can have, but trying to play on five or six different scale lengths at the same time sounds like an intonation nightmare unless you're either constantly looking at the fretboard or sliding into every note to hide the intonation issues. And that's just with a lined one- an unlined fanned fretless....I'm afraid to even think about it :D I know a few people on TB have had fanned fretlesses including at least one unlined one, but I haven't heard anyone playing one in tune yet.
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...which is why I probably won't pull the trigger on this hair brained scheme. :p
 
#116
I imagine muscle memory would be somewhat involved with an unlined fanned fretless. If it was your only bass, you would probably get used to it. I can imagine it being somewhat of a problem switching back and forth between straight fretted basses and fanned though.

I have not tried a fanned fretless (lined or other), but from what I've read, it's not really that bad.
 
#117
I'm not sure muscle memory would be too helpful as there wouldn't be any constants- just playing a line that involves a fair amount of string-skipping wouldn't allow much time for your brain to get accustomed to all those different scales. It would likely be much less difficult on a four-string than on a six-string.

As you say though, if it was your only bass, you'd probably be able to deal with it with enough practice. I've read some of the same comments that it wasn't too difficult (I think someone ordered a DP Custom unlined fanned), but I'd still be interested in hearing someone play one in tune.
 
#118
It's hard enough to play straight "fretted" fretlesses in tune, so I imagine that a fanned one is the pretty much the same thing.

Speaking from experience on the fretted ones, it's not hard to adjust and it just feels right. I tend to fret right behind the fret and I don't have to have my eyes glued to the fingerboard to get around.
 
#120
Playing a fanned fretless is not that hard, especially if you have a fretted one too like myself.

I really don't look at the fretboard when playing in the sweet spot of the neck. What's important for me is being able to see the side of the fretboard then my fingers pretty much go where they need to.

I did have a sight reading gig a while back and brought my fanned fretless. I'm not going to do that again:rollno:, unless I can get the music before hand.

Why would you want a Dingwall fanned fretless? Because the tone and playabilty is 2nd to none.
 

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